One Last Gift_A Small-Town Romance

by Nancy Stopper

  But today? How could Jack be both her high and low at the same time? He’d always been able to tie her in knots with just a glance. That was another thing that hadn’t changed about him. But she wasn’t ready to share Jack with her son. Or vice versa. “We had a bus load of seniors from the retirement community in Reading come in today. They brought a truck with them and everyone got trees to decorate their apartments. It was fun.”

  There, that was something good. Casey enjoyed helping people pick out their Christmas tree, watching them as they imagined the perfect spot in their living room or in front of the fireplace. Besides, the tree lot was how she’d met Jack in the first place. Dang, why did everything always come back to Jack?

  “I can picture it, a bunch of gray-haired grannies with their walkers, pointing their crooked finger at the trees.” Riley laughed at the picture he painted. But he couldn’t be further from the truth.

  “More like gray-haired grannies in track suits and cross-trainers, waving their smart phones around.” She had worked hard to raise the profile of the tree farm and expand their customer base beyond the immediate area surrounding Oak Grove. Groups from nearby retirement homes was just one of those ideas that had grown their business. She was proud of her accomplishments since Sid put her in charge.

  If the crowds kept up like they had been, she’d need to hire more seasonal help. Well, there was always Jack. What did he plan to do while he was in town? Would he stick his nose in or let Casey continue to run things her way? Sid had been happy to give her free reign a few years back so he could focus on what he loved—taking care of the trees.

  She tousled Riley’s hair. “Okay, now low.”

  “Grandpa Murphy is still in the hospital.”

  Sid and Jackie had filled the grandparent role in Riley’s life ever since he was born. Casey’s miscarriage devastated them much as it had her and Jack, so they were happy to dote on her son. Riley loved his Murphy grandparents. They were the only grandparents he knew.

  “I saw Grandpa Murphy today. He looked better.” She didn’t mention that she’d also seen Grandpa Murphy’s son.

  “When can I go see him? Is he coming home soon?”

  “The doctor hopes he’ll be released in a few more days. Maybe this weekend we can go see him. But you have to remember, he’s been sick. He won’t be able to go tromping through the woods with you like he normally does.” She was thankful every day that Sid had stepped in as a male role model for her son. It would help when Riley started asking things that she as his mother wasn’t equipped to answer.

  “I know, Mom. You keep telling me.”

  Casey dipped her head and grinned so she didn’t have to see the inevitable eye roll that accompanied her son’s words. If this was how dramatic he could be at eight, what would he be like as a teenager?

  “And your low, Mom?”

  Casey usually kept her lows to something benign. How could she tell her son that she had fainted at the sight of the only man she’d ever loved? And then had reamed him out for not coming home sooner? She’d barely processed that Jack was home. No way was she ready to confront the feelings he’d stirred up in her. “Grandpa for me, too, I guess. I had a pretty good day.”

  There, she’d said it.

  Her son tilted his head and quirked his eyebrow. “Okay, but I don’t believe you. You know you can tell me, right? I’m not a child.”

  “You are a child. You’re eight.” She hated that he had been her emotional support at times. In some ways, he’d had to grow up too soon. In other ways, she’d tried to shelter him from the worst parts of life as long as possible. She wanted him to enjoy his childhood and not look back and wish for anything.

  “Yeah, but it’s still Mom and Riley against the world.”

  She smiled. She’d gotten lucky with Riley and she knew it. “Eat your dinner so you can finish your homework.”

  Riley ate the last bite of spaghetti and swiped his napkin across his mouth before he’d even swallowed. “I finished my homework already. Can I go shoot hoops with Mark? He said he was going to after dinner.”

  Casey glanced out the window. The darkness came earlier now that it was well into November. “Make sure you turn on your bike light. And come home in one hour. No later. Got it?”

  Riley hopped up from the table and popped a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”

  He was out the back door and pedaling furiously before she could say, “You’re welcome.”

  Casey shouldn’t have let him go out this late, but Oak Grove was a safe town.

  After clearing the dishes, she settled on the couch with her eReader and waited for Riley’s return from the playground. Hopefully, the distraction would keep her from running her encounter with Jack through her mind over and over.

  She tried to immerse herself in the historical romance she’d started reading last week, but she couldn’t focus on the words on the page. Her mind replaced the hero with Jack’s face, and Jack’s broad shoulders, and Jack’s…She laid the book on the couch. That was enough of that.

  She stared out the window where the sky had gone pitch black. She checked the time on her phone. Riley should have been home by now.

  Before worry settled in, the clatter of his bike on the porch eased her nerves, but he’d have to deal with the consequences for missing curfew.

  Riley swung open the door. Dirt streaked his cheek and blood dripped from a scratch on his arm. Her reprimand for him being late stuck in her throat as she rushed to his side. “What happened?”

  Riley brushed his hands down his jeans. “It’s nothing, Mom. I wiped out on my bike in a ditch.”

  Casey gasped. It was times like this when she wished she had someone to lean on. Someone to help carry the burden of anxiety that came with being a parent. “Well, I’ll just have to give that ditch a good talking to next time I’m there.”

  She shuffled Riley down the hall into the bathroom and pulled out the first aid kit. Her hands shook but she couldn’t reveal how much it scared her to see her son hurt. The little voice in her head reminded her how much worse it could have been. What if he’d hit his head and passed out where no one could see him? She tried to steady her touch as she cleaned his scratches. “Did you have fun playing basketball?”

  Riley waved his arms. “It was great. There were six boys there and we played three-on-three. I even made a basket.”

  She grabbed his arm to keep it still and finished washing the cut, pressing a bandage to the clean skin and following it up with a kiss. “Sounds like fun. Next time you have an accident, call me and I’ll come get you. Okay, kiddo?”

  “It was no big deal, Mom. Doesn’t even hurt. But I’m beat. I’m going to bed.” Riley hopped up and gave her a half-hug before scooting across the hall and closing the door. It never ceased to amaze her how grown up her little boy could be.

  She sank to the floor and rested her head in her hands, willing her heart to slow after her anxiety surge when Riley had strolled through the door with blood running down his arm. Once her hands stopped shaking and she caught her breath, she dragged herself off the floor and down the hall to her bedroom. Between Riley’s accident and her first sighting of Jack in years, she doubted she’d sleep a wink.

  Chapter Five

  JACK YAWNED AS he booted up his laptop on the kitchen table, tapping his finger while he waited for the coffee pot to finish brewing. His parents still had one of those drip machines that made a full pot every time. Maybe he’d get them a pod coffeemaker for Christmas. Finally, the pot finished and he poured himself a fresh cup and brought it to his lips. “Damn, that’s good.”

  He slid into his regular seat at the kitchen table and opened his email to a flood of new messages. He’d only been gone one day. How many emails could one guy get? For the next hour, he worked through the messages with a quick efficiency, doling out tasks to be handled by members of his staff and jotting notes for Dan and Patricia. Knowing his assistant, she was sitting in the office, waiting for him to get to work.


  He’d intended to catch up last night, but he couldn’t bear sitting in front of his computer after the day he’d had—from the morning flight to seeing his Dad laid up in a hospital bed. And then there was Casey. More than one image of her had starred in his dreams last night.

  He hadn’t thought of Casey in a long time, and seeing her had brought the good and bad times back to the surface.

  After Jack worked through his email, he fired up Skype and called his business partner, Dan. A few seconds later, Dan’s face filled the screen. “Hey, Jack. How’s your dad?”

  In many ways, Dan was the exact opposite of Jack. Where Jack preferred getting down to business, Dan was all about relationships. His affable demeanor had even landed him a wife despite their crazy work hours. They complemented each other well. Dan handled the touchy-feely stuff, and Jack’s ice-cold demeanor served them well during negotiations. “He’s doing well. Already hassling the nurses.”

  “Good. I can’t believe you haven’t been home in all this time. So…”

  Dan didn’t have to finish the question. Jack knew what he was asking. “Yeah, she’s still here.”

  He raked his hand through his hair. Dan knew bits and pieces about Jack’s life in Oak Grove and his relationship with Casey. Jack was crazy to think he could sweep into town, check on Dad, and not be assaulted by memories of the past. He’d shoved his emotions down for so long, he’d thought he was immune.

  “And?”

  “She looks good.” Too good. Especially when her curves pressed against him when he caught her. When she’d lay sprawled across his lap. “Like nothing’s changed.”

  “But things have changed, Jack. It’s been ten years. She’s not the same girl you left behind, just like you aren’t the same guy who rode out of town.”

  “I know that,” Jack snapped. “It’s…it’s just.”

  “Just what?”

  “She’s running the tree lot for my parents, but they’re keeping a secret from me. Something about Casey.”

  “Don’t go there, Jack. She doesn’t need you sweeping in and upending her life only to roar out of it again.”

  He wouldn’t do that, would he? Of course he was leaving, but he’d underestimated what seeing Casey would do to him. He’d do best to steer clear of her as much as possible. “Yeah, yeah, you’re right. Let’s get to it.” Jack shuffled the papers on the table until he found the paper he was looking for. “I reviewed all of the resumes I brought with me. I think we should bring Abigail Perkins in for an interview for the Executive Vice President position.”

  “She’ll be a great fit if we can steal her away from her current firm.” Dan scribbled something offscreen. “I’ll call and set up the interview. When will you be back?”

  Jack wished he had an answer to that question. But he’d promised Dad he’d stay and that was what he was going to do, despite Casey’s less than warm reception. “I don’t know. Set it up and I’ll Skype if I can’t be there.”

  Dan nodded. “You got it.”

  It wasn’t ideal, working through Skype, but Jack and Dan wrapped up the items on their list in record time. Jack closed his laptop just as his mom rounded the corner.

  “Hey, honey. You’re up early.”

  He stood and brushed a kiss on his mom’s cheek.

  She squeezed his shoulders and then let him go. “You work too hard. I know your father asked you to stay and help, but we’re doing okay here. Casey’s got things under control. If you need to get back to Boston, your dad will understand.”

  It certainly would be easier for him to scoot home before he had to see Casey again, but he wasn’t a coward and he didn’t back away from a challenge. And Casey was a challenge. Jack pulled Mom into a hug. “Trying to get rid of me already? I’m staying. I just have to keep my eye on things at the office.”

  Mom pulled away and fussed around the kitchen. “Can I make you some breakfast?”

  “No, I should get to the lot. I want to get a handle on where I can help while Dad’s laid up.”

  “I’m sure Casey will be glad for the help, but Jack, just be nice.”

  Jack grinned. “I’m always nice.”

  AN HOUR LATER, Jack climbed out of his rental car, his new Kenetrek boots sinking into the soft ground. He pulled his Brooks Brothers coat over his sweater to ward off the cold wind that blew through the valley. Boston might be north of Oak Grove, but there was nothing like a winter wind cutting through the mountains to drive a chill straight to your bones.

  Jack headed up the walk toward the front of the lot like he had a thousand times growing up. Although this time, Dad wasn’t at his side. What if he’d died before Jack had had a chance to come home? No matter what, Jack promised himself he wouldn’t let anything keep him from visiting his parents in the future. Not even Casey.

  Two teenagers stood near the cash register, laughing and joking with each other. The one facing him cleared his throat and stood taller, and the girl turned in his direction. The boy shoved his hand in his pockets and shuffled his feet. “Can we help you? We’re not open yet, but I can help you find something if you’d like.”

  Good boy, offering to help a customer even before opening. “Not necessary. I’m heading to the office.”

  “Um, well, the office is for employees only. If there is something I can help you with?”

  “Nah, I’ll be fine. I’m just here to see Casey.” Jack stepped off toward the greenhouse, enjoying the game he was playing with the teenagers.

  His dad had installed the greenhouse the year before Jack had left town. People love poinsettias and greenery with their trees, son. We’d do well to give them what they want, or they’ll look elsewhere. By the looks of it, Dad had been right. Row after row of deep red and white flowers lined the aisles, and decorative wreaths hung from hooks on the walls. Jack drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. The deep scent of pine and cedar filled the room. Damn, he hadn’t realized how much he’d missed that smell until just now.

  In his condo at home, he put up an artificial tree. Too inconvenient to locate and dispose of a real one and that way he wasn’t assaulted with memories of the past. If he was home in time this year, he’d have to find a lot and pick out a real tree.

  He reached the office and wrapped his hand around the handle just as the door flew open. He lurched into the office…and right into Casey.

  “Oomph.” Casey’s arms wrapped around him. “Jack!”

  Jack righted himself but couldn’t bring himself to let go. Having her arms around him was a reminder of everything he had lost. He couldn’t allow himself to go there again. But he also couldn’t make himself back away.

  Color crept up Casey’s cheeks. Her eyes locked on his, the blue deepening to an almost midnight color. Her fingers gripped his arms tighter, like she was holding on for dear life. She didn’t break her gaze and neither did he. A lifetime of emotions passed between them in a single glance. She gasped, her chest rising and falling rapidly, and before he knew it, he found himself lowering his head, his eyes closing as he…

  “Ms. Patterson?”

  Casey pushed Jack away as one of the teens burst around the corner. “Yeah, Sam, what is it?”

  “I just, uh, I wanted to make sure you were okay. This guy didn’t tell us who he was. He said he was, uh, coming back here.”

  Casey’s eyes stayed locked on Jack’s. “It’s fine. This is Jack, Sid and Jackie’s son.”

  The moment with Casey lost, Jack faced the teen who stood in the door with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. But the kid did manage to respond. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Murphy.”

  Jack extended his hand. “It’s Jack. I hear Mr. Murphy and I look around for my Dad.”

  Sam sheepishly shook Jack’s hand and then stepped back. “I hope Mr. Murphy’s doing okay.”

  “He’s doing better, hassling the nurses and wanting to get back out in the trees. I’m sure he appreciates all you’re doing to help. Keep up the good work.”

  A huge smile lit Sam’s enti
re face. “Thanks Mr., er, Jack. Okay, well, uh, thanks.” He darted away.

  Jack chuckled and turned back to Casey. She’d retreated behind the small desk. It was probably for the best. He didn’t need to get involved with her again.

  “What are you doing here, Jack?”

  “I’m here to help.”

  “We don’t need your help. We’ve been doing fine all these years without you, and we’ll be doing fine again when you leave.”

  Ouch. Going for the jugular with the first shot. But Casey was right. They had done well without him this whole time, and he had no intention of upending anything she was doing. “Dad asked me to help.” He held his arms wide. “Put me to work.”

  She tilted her head and studied him, as if she had more to say. Her honey-blonde hair fell out of her ponytail and curled around her face. She barely looked older than the twenty-one-year-old girl he’d left crying at the airport all those years ago. But she had gained a certain maturity that intrigued him.

  They’d both gotten older, but it wasn’t age. There was a wisdom in her expression that hadn’t been there when he left. What had she been doing while he'd been away? Why was she still in Oak Grove? Was she married? His eyes darted to her left hand. Empty. Then again, just because she didn’t wear a ring didn’t mean she wasn’t involved with someone.

  Casey huffed. “You wanna work? Fine.” She grabbed a clipboard off the corner of the desk and shoved it under his nose. “We had a group from the retirement home in Reading come through yesterday. They cleaned us out of white pine and blue spruce. We need more cut and brought down to the lot. Section twenty-four is where we’re working this season. You can take Sam with you.”

  She nudged the clipboard toward him until he took it. She then flopped in the chair and powered up the computer. Jack stared at her for another moment but she didn’t look up again. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Casey’s muffled “argh” reached his ears as he pulled the door closed. He chuckled and went to grab a truck and head out to the back section of the farm.